Apple Plans To Launch An AI Feature For IPhone In China Starting May

JAKARTA - Apple is rumored to be launching an artificial intelligence (AI) feature for iPhones in China starting next May. The company has reportedly formed several teams in China and the US to realize this plan. In addition, Apple is also working with local companies to meet the needs of the country's generative AI.

Joe Tsai, Chairman of Alibaba Group, recently confirmed that Apple will use Alibaba's generative AI technology for iPhones in China. This announcement was made by Tsai at an event, although he did not specify exactly when the AI feature would be launched.

Previously, The Information reported that the two companies had submitted the feature to obtain approval from Chinese regulators.

According to Bloomberg, Apple will use Alibaba technology for AI models running on devices (on-device), particularly as additional layers that can censor certain materials and information according to the Chinese government's request. Alibaba can also ask Apple to update its AI model if the Chinese government issues new requests.

Apple will disable expired AI features on users' devices until they update their devices to remove prohibited content. This policy only applies to iPhones sold in China, not for devices purchased overseas.

However, the Apple Intelligence feature will not work in China, even on devices sold in other regions, if users change their location to mainland China.

Tsai also mentioned that Apple has spoken with several companies in the region to meet its AI needs, including DeepSek. Although Alibaba will become Apple's main partner in China, Bloomberg reports that Apple will also cooperate with Baidu for certain features such as Visual Intelligence, which allows users to search for online information by scanning objects through their phones.

For AI features that require greater power and must be processed through external servers, Apple will most likely also cooperate with local partners.

As Bloomberg noted, bringing Apple Intelligence to iPhone in China is an important goal for the company. China is Apple's second-largest market, but the company's sales continue to decline as customers switch to local brands offering AI features on their devices.

In the last three months of 2024, Apple's sales in China fell 11.1 percent, placing Apple in third place on the Chinese smartphone market after Huawei and Xiaomi.

This move shows Apple's efforts to remain competitive in the Chinese market by presenting AI features that are increasingly in demand by consumers.